Safeguarding the interests of disabled people

Caroline Russell: With a winter of further physical distancing ahead, how will you safeguard the interests of disabled people in Streetspace schemes?

Sadiq Khan: Our bold Streetspace plans are transforming London’s streets, providing space to enable social distancing and preserving precious capacity on public transport for those less able to walk or cycle. Working with the boroughs so far we have finished or are building almost 80 kilometres of new cycle lanes, created over 22,000 square metres of new space for pedestrians, put in place 75 low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) and implemented more than 214 School Streets so far. As part of an ongoing trial, TfL is extending the hours of over 270 bus lanes on London’s Red Routes so that they operate at all times.
However, any changes to our streets cannot adversely impact on vulnerable groups and I am committed to ensuring that the interests of disabled people are safeguarded. TfL carries out equality impact assessments on every scheme it leads on. Over 60 Streetspace assessments are currently in progress, the results of which will be made available online. TfL also works closely with boroughs, reminding them of their public sector duties to ensure accessibility is embedded in all designs and decisions and issuing guidance to support them. TfL is also engaging directly with organisations representing people with specific accessibility requirements in addition to engagement with its Independent Disability Advisory Group. TfL hosted a series of working groups with representatives including Transport for All, Disability Rights UK, Inclusion London, Scope and the Royal Institute of Blind People to hear their views.
All Streetspace measures are temporary changes and TfL and boroughs are listening to feedback and making changes where they are needed. On Cycleway7, for example, we have upgraded the provision for cyclists. Changes have been made at several locations to create more space for emergency vehicles. TfL is currently engaging with local charity Merton Vision on the design of bus stop bypasses in Colliers Wood.
Our data shows that disabled people are more reliant on walking and using the bus than non-disabled people and are less likely to drive, which is why our Streetspace programme is so important for helping disabled people to continue to get around London safely. This is especially important given the findings of the rapid evidence review I commissioned, which showed the disproportionate effect of COVID-19 on disabled people. TfL will continue to engage with stakeholders to ensure its work protects their needs.

Caroline Russell: Thank you, MrMayor. It is very good to hear you recognise that many disabled people are dependent on walking and taking the bus. I am worried that the debate about changing our streets has become very polarised and people are claiming to speak for disabled people without thinking clearly about what helps people get around on an everyday basis.
I have been to visit schemes on the ground all over London and I have met recently with Transport for All, Guide Dogs and Wheels for Wellbeing and they have all raised good points about how Streetspace can be more inclusive. They tell me one problem for a lot of disabled Londoners is a lack of level pavements before or after Streetspace. Too many Streetspace measures are using ramps and barriers as we would for roadworks but these measures are now set to be lasting right through the winter for months and months ahead. In Brixton and Camden, for example, you delivered fully accessible wider pavements at bus stops using rubber kerbs and an asphalt infill, which is a temporary measure but is much more accessible.
With physical distancing set to run through the winter, will you ensure that the pavements that are widened are fully accessible like the ones in Brixton and Camden.

Sadiq Khan: Chair, I am not sighted on the details but I am more than happy to look at the suggestion that AssemblyMemberRussell raises. I understand why she raises it. Can I take that away and come back to you?

Caroline Russell: Absolutely. Thank you very much. I have also seen a few Streetspace schemes where tactile or blister paving, which enables visually impaired people to find a crossing, is in place, for example, on Park Lane for the bus stop bypasses. It can be done. Why is tactile paving not being used on all Streetspace schemes including the borough ones?

Sadiq Khan: Firstly, I am not excusing. I am just explaining. It was the speed of getting them done in light of the deadlines set by the Government. This is not a criticism of the Government, either.
Again, if there are examples where we are not using the right equipment like the tactile stuff that is really important for visually impaired people, I am really happy offline to speak to the AssemblyMember, Chair. What all of us want is to make sure that everyone will take advantage, including those with disability issues. I am more than happy to look into that.

Caroline Russell: That is great. Thank you very much. The groups that I have spoken with have raised specific concerns about equality impact assessments on Streetspace schemes. Will you ensure that the equality impact assessments are, as Transport for All have asked, robust, meaningful and coproduced so that you can fully involve local disabled people in checking the impact of any schemes on their neighbouring streets?

Sadiq Khan: We are in danger of being in agreement on everything.

Caroline Russell: That is marvellous.

Sadiq Khan: I am not sure that does her street cred much good. That makes perfect sense to me.

Caroline Russell: I am almost out of time here. I just wanted to say that these simple things like having very smooth pavements, dropped curves and tactile paving are absolutely crucial for disabled Londoners to get around safely. New temporary measures can be accompanied with details like a tapping rail to indicate where space is being used for tables and chairs to help visually impaired people get past safely.
I will write you with more details on those ideas. As we go into winter with this need to stay physically apart, these Streetspace schemes need improving, not removing. Thank you. I have no further questions.

Sadiq Khan: Thank you. I am really happy to work with the AssemblyMember on this. It is a really good example of ideas she has that we can action that will improve life for everyone.

Caroline Russell: Thank you, MrMayor.

London Demonstrations

David Kurten: Why did the Metropolitan Police take vastly different approaches towards protestors in different demonstrations in London over the last few weeks?’

Sadiq Khan: Good morning. The right to peaceful protest is a vital part of an open and democratic society and I have always been clear about my support for peaceful and lawful protests.
The MPS has operational independence on how it polices protests and I have confidence in the Commissioner [of Police of the Metropolis] and her team. London has one of the most experienced police forces in the world at dealing with public events and disorder. I know that the Commissioner has worked very hard to make sure people are still able to peacefully and lawfully protest whilst remaining mindful of the potential impact this has on the spread of coronavirus. I want to take this opportunity to thank the police who have been working tirelessly throughout this pandemic under extremely difficult circumstances to prevent disorder and to keep us safe.
Managing protests has been particularly challenging during this period with the rules around gatherings changing repeatedly. Since 20August [2020] national legislation changes have meant that gatherings of more than 30 people have been banned. Some gatherings are exempt from this but the organisers must carry out a risk assessment and make sure that all reasonable measures to limit the transmission of the virus are taken. The police plan for and respond to each protest based on the intelligence available and the specific situation they face, taking into account the latest rules. Each protest or demonstration is reviewed on its own merits. There is no one-size-fits-all response to public order.
Highly trained public order Commanders make up the gold, silver and bronze command structure for any public event. Prior to the event, the gold command sets the strategy for the policing style that will be used, based on the intelligence available to them. On the day, this structure is supported by the special operations room, otherwise known as the Lambeth Room. This is the central hub at which all pre-planned and spontaneous events are managed and co-ordinated. Fast-paced operational decisions are made by silver command on the ground, taking into account the impact their decisions will have across the capital. Their decisions are supported by bronze command, who usually have geographical responsibility of the area within which the event is taking place. Debriefs take place with the command teams and partners as standard to review where improvements can be made.

David Kurten: OK. Thank you, MrMayor, and good morning. You mentioned that there have been a lot of demonstrations over the last few months and there certainly have been. I have been at many of them. I was at the three different freedom rallies that took place in Trafalgar Square on 26August, 19September and 26September [2020] and I spoke at one of them on 19September.
I was quite shocked particularly by the behaviour of the Territorial Support Group (TSG) riot police on the 26September because the demonstration was absolutely and completely peaceful, unlike some of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) demonstrations where police were attacked, a woman was thrown off a horse, flares were lit and the flag at the Cenotaph was burned. That happened at the BLM demonstrations. On 26September columns of riot police waded into the crowds, batons drawn. People were injured. People’s faces were bloodied. A woman was pushed off her chair. That, to me, is unacceptable behaviour from that unit of the MPS. Who gave the order for that to happen?

Sadiq Khan: Chair, I just do not know about the facts. I am not sure if I can accept the premise and the facts as set out by the AssemblyMember. I actually‑‑

David Kurten: Would you accept that that is acceptable behaviour by that unit of the MPS?

Sadiq Khan: Chair, I gave quite a full answer explaining how operationally these things work with gold, silver and bronze and the experience of individual Commanders. If the Member has particular issues or a complaint to make about police conduct on that day, I suggest he takes them up with both the MPS and the IOPC, which is the appropriate thing to do rather than to use this forum. I am not abreast of the facts and I cannot determine‑‑

David Kurten: What I can ask you about is your tweets because on 26September you tweeted:
“This is unacceptable. I urge all protestors to leave now. Large gatherings are banned for a reason - you are putting the safety of our city at risk.”
That was you. On the BLM demonstration, you put out a statement saying, “I stand with you and I share your anger and your pain”. They are completely different messages you put out about the BLM one, at which actually there was a lot of violence. You seemed to support it but the other one, the entirely peaceful demonstration, the freedom rally, you said it is not acceptable. Why did you put out the different statements there?

Sadiq Khan: Chair, the Member is in danger of not telling the entire picture, which is that since 20August, which is the after the BLM demonstrations that are being talked about, national legislation has changed, which has meant that gatherings of more than 30 people have been banned save for specific circumstances. He also omits to mention that on 26September, nine police officers were injured at that demonstration. It is really important to tell the complete picture rather than cherry-picking some of it.

David Kurten: Sorry, MrMayor. Those nine police officers would not have been injured if they had not waded into the crowd.
You mentioned 20August. Let us look at last week because last weekend there was a rally of 3,000 Shia Muslims gathered in Marble Arch for Ashura and marched up Edgware Road. Then, on Sunday, the next day, there was another gathering where, again, a large crowd of Shia Muslims gathered at Marble Arch for Arba’een and marched down Park Lane.
Are you saying, then, on the basis of what you have just said, that large gatherings should not be allowed? Why were those demonstrations allowed and why did you not say anything about those whereas you did say something about the 26September freedom rally?

Sadiq Khan: I do not have those facts with me, Chair. I am happy to take them away and get a response sent to the Member offline.

David Kurten: Fine. You should be consistent, MrMayor, if you are putting out the message there. There is one thing that was very disturbing also about 26September, which was later on in the day. A very well-respected German doctor, DrHeikoSchöning, who is the Chair of the World Doctors Alliance, was arrested in Speakers Corner just for speaking the truth about coronavirus. I might not agree with you but certainly I would agree with what he says. Why was he arrested? He was held for 22 hours without charge by the police for speaking at Speakers Corner. Do you agree with that, MrMayor?

Sadiq Khan: Chair, we are in danger of becoming ridiculous with me being asked about individual cases. The MPS deals with more than 2,000 protests and demonstrations a year. In 2018 there were 2479 and in 2019 there were 2,491. Up to now [in 2020] we have had more than 1,500. If there are any particular cases for which the Member is concerned, rather than raising them at MQT, I am more than happy if he writes to me in advance or speaks to me or gives me notice. I will get the facts and I am happy to debate them.

David Kurten: MrMayor, it is not ridiculous at all because you are the Mayor of London and you are the Police and Crime Commissioner for London. These are all cases that have had high recognition and that a lot of people are concerned about, but I see that you are not able to give me any answers about that at the moment and so I will have to end my questioning here and hope that you can explain those incidents to me in a letter. Thank you.

Transport for London: Extraordinary Funding and Financing Agreement

Alison Moore: Please provide an update on the status of the new funding agreement covering the period from 18 October 2020 onwards.

Sadiq Khan: As you know, the current funding agreement runs until 17October [2020]. That is this Saturday. We continue to discuss the next emergency funding package with the Government. I appreciate you are keen to know what the new deal will look like but this is a live negotiation and so there is a limit to what I can say publicly at this stage.
Transport for London (TfL) has asked for financial support for the next 18 months. It is clear that passenger numbers are not going to return to pre-pandemic levels anytime soon. With a funding model that is so heavily reliant on fares income, COVID-19 has left TfL dangerously exposed. Back in May [2020], I said the funding deal was a sticking plaster. I appreciate there are competing demands and difficult choices to be made in all of this under great time pressure, but I fear we are yet again on course for another short term make-do-and-mend fix while the privately-owned train operating companies have been given an 18 month bailout, which still allows them to make a profit.
Let me put it plainly. TfL cannot invest in London’s future when we do not know where the next pound is coming from. I will also remind colleagues and those watching from the Government that London contributes more than £38billion net to the country’s economy. TfL is a huge investor in supply chains across the country. It matters also to the United Kingdom (UK) what happens to TfL. The London Underground investment programme, for example, directly supports 43,000 jobs, 68% of which are outside London. Londoners and London businesses recognise the importance of TfL to London’s success and to the nation’s success. A drip-feed approach to funding might suit the Government but it would be catastrophic for London and our country.
If TfL does not know how much income it is going to be getting in a year or 18 months, how can it deliver the balanced budget it is legally required to produce? TfL has already applied tight spending controls across the board including pausing entry into any new contracts, but continually deferring things is a false economy. You end up paying more in the long term.
I have to be candid. If TfL does not get appropriate funding, it will be unable to run safe, reliable and frequent transport services. Any deal cannot seek to punish Londoners for doing what has been asked of them by the Government: staying at home and away from public transport. I have always fought for the right and fair deal for London and I will continue to do so in the coming hours and days.

Alison Moore: Thank you, MrMayor. Given we are within two days of the 17October deadline and on the brink of going into, it would appear, tier2 arrangements across London and with business leaders across London calling for the Government to provide a sustainable funding deal going forward, it is very frustrating for everyone.
At the 1October Budget [and Performance] Committee meeting, AndyByford [Commissioner of Transport for London] said that two thirds of the KPMG review of TfL’s future financial position and future financial structure have been redacted. Has the Government explained how it thinks TfL can discuss a future funding package when the Government’s thinking remains secret?

Sadiq Khan: No, it has not explained that. I am not sure how much that report cost but it was paid for by taxpayers’ money. Not only can I not see it and Londoners not see it but TfL’s Commissioner cannot see it. Frankly, it is breath-taking.

Alison Moore: Has a redacted copy of the review been provided to TfL now and will that unredacted copy be published along with the new funding agreement?

Sadiq Khan: No. We have not seen an unredacted copy, neither the Commissioner, his top team or the TfL Finance Committee. I would be astonished if the Government still sought to keep it a secret. It needs to make it available to TfL’s team and in due course it should be made public.

Alison Moore: Transparency is clearly an issue for us on this and it must be frustrating for everybody involved. It took 14 days between the May [2020] funding package being agreed and the DfT giving TfL permission to publish a copy of the agreement.
Have you sought permission to publish this next agreement as soon as it is agreed? Could you tell me whether that permission has been granted?

Sadiq Khan: It is a really good question, DrMoore. TfL’s Finance Committee meets tomorrow. For the reasons you have alluded to in your question and your follow-up, you will be aware that 17October is when the deal comes to an end. It is important for the Finance Committee to have sight of the correspondence between me and the Secretary of State, which I am sure it will want to do for tomorrow. I will be speaking later on today with the Transport Commissioner [Andy Byford] and my Deputy Mayor for Transport [Heidi Alexander] about what information is made available to the Finance Committee. As you suggest, it should have sight of those documents. As and when agreement is reached with the Government, I would expect that to be made public as well.

Alison Moore: Yes. It does feel like they are negotiating with one hand tied behind their back. Finally from me, you understandably have complained about several of the conditions attached to the original funding package, most notably the suspension of free travel for under-18s.
Can you confirm what conditions you are trying to remove from the new agreement and whether you have had any success in doing that?

Sadiq Khan: It is worth reminding you, colleagues and more importantly Londoners that last time it was a couple of days before the deadline that the Government introduced these conditions for the first time. We were ready to begin negotiations on the second half of the year in early August but the Government only began talking to us in earnest over the last few days.
If past evidence is anything to go by, we cannot be too surprised if the Government tries to impose new conditions between now and the deadline. Clearly, if they are detrimental to TfL or to Londoners, we will resist those.
I have also been in the discussions raising some of the conditions attached in the first half because, as you will appreciate, some of them do not make economic sense but also are extremely hard on some of the most vulnerable Londoners. If the Government wants to pursue those conditions, extend them or introduce new ones, it will have to explain publicly the justification for doing so. As I said earlier on, it gave funding for
18 months to privatised train operating companies without any conditions attached.

Alison Moore: It clearly is not a level playing field. This is a really difficult time for London and it does not seem that the Government is playing fair by Londoners. Thank you very much for your time, MrMayor.

Economic Support during Covid-19

Leonie Cooper: Will the Chancellor’s ‘Winter Plan’ be enough to prevent a rise in unemployment in London?

Sadiq Khan: Our capital faces both an ongoing health crisis, which we cannot afford to be complacent about, and an economic crisis, which could lead to major job losses unless further action is taken. Ministers need to wake up to the looming unemployment crisis as businesses are faced with no choice but to cut jobs as they struggle to survive. Many are on a financial knife-edge, facing a perfect storm of continued homeworking, a lack of confidence in the testing regime, the collapse of domestic and international tourism and the potential for further restrictions.
We must strike a balance in the measures we take, always led by the science. That is why, having seen evidence from around the country that the measure may be counterproductive, I have called for the Government to review the 10pm closure of hospitality businesses. What is currently on offer is not enough. The new Job Support Scheme is far less generous than other countries, with the Government paying only 22% of someone’s usual wage.
London is now at a serious tipping point in the spread of this virus and we need to start preparing for additional restrictions. I have serious concerns that the Government’s new measures for employees who work for UK firms forced to shut by law will not be enough to save thousands of jobs in London’s key retail hospitality, leisure and cultural sectors. It is essential that the Government puts proper financial support in place for all affected workers, businesses, local authorities and households, not just those in very high tier3 level, as has been announced this week. I will continue to advocate for a much bigger and more expansive job protection scheme, targeted grants, loans for the worst-affected sectors and geographic areas and an extension to the business rate holiday, which is due to end in March [2021].

Léonie Cooper: Thank you very much, MrMayor. Before I go into my questions, unlike AssemblyMemberHall, who appears to be watching Sky, I have had a message from one of my constituents who insisted that I tell you that you look like a film star wearing your padded jacket under your other jacket.

Sadiq Khan: Did they say which one, Chair?

Léonie Cooper: It was not your wife, MrMayor. I should say to you that she is not sending me private messages. It was someone who thinks you look fabulous.
Anyway, that is not what I wanted to ask you about. We know that the number of claimants is up by almost 300,000 people. That is 161%. Unemployment currently stands at 5.3% amongst Londoners. They are new figures this week. Furloughed staff in London are at almost 720,000, which is 17% of all London employees.
I noted what you were saying about feeling that we need more targeted support. Are these figures ones that you think are going to be able to persuade the Government to give that to Londoners? It is impossible, particularly if you are self-employed, if you are asked to cover from the money that you have coming in - just 20%. How can you feed your family and your children on 20% of your normal income? I do not understand how that works.

Sadiq Khan: What is remarkable is that this Government has it wrong in terms of both health and the economy. We have the largest number of excess deaths of any country in Europe and the deepest recession of any country in Europe. When I speak to counterparts in Germany, France and other European countries, the assistance their governments are giving their businesses and workers is far better than ours. Last night the French President, for example, announced a 9pm curfew but also announced a fully funded furlough scheme.
It is so important that when businesses are struggling, particularly in hospitality, culture, retail, leisure and tourism, those businesses are kept afloat - on life support, if you like - with assistance from the Government. It is far more effective in the medium to long term to do that than allow them to go bust and workers be made redundant, which is the alternative that the Government is considering.
I will continue to lobby the Government - indeed, in my meeting this morning I was lobbying the Government Ministers - about the importance of a decent financial package scheme. I am hoping the Chancellor, who was quite happy to be photographed smiling in food stores in August, will spend some time working on a plan to support our businesses, workers and families, who are really struggling.

Léonie Cooper: MrMayor, I want to compliment the Chancellor because his first set of arrangements for furloughed and self-employed individuals was actually quite helpful, but we are now in a situation where we really need targeted help for certain sectors. Your Deputy Mayor [for Culture and the Creative Industries] JustineSimons [OBE] said, in terms of the cultural sector, it is such an important sector not just for London in terms of tourism and also our own enjoyment but it also brings all those benefits to the rest of the country that you were just talking about in terms of TfL.
Is there anything that can be done to get something that is similar to what they have implemented in France and other countries?

Sadiq Khan: The Chancellor’s new offer to self-employed Londoners is to cover just 20% of average monthly profits. If he can also negotiate a 20% payment of rents, overheads and food bills, then it is worth talking about, but he needs to be doing what colleagues across Europe are doing. It is so important.
To give you an idea of the contribution made by culture - and I know some Members on the Conservative side criticise our investment in culture - it contributes more than £52billion to our economy. One out of six jobs in our city is in culture. This idea that they can retrain into cyber is not just offensive but does not understand the contribution made by culture to our economy. It was the fastest-growing sector in our economy before this pandemic and it is really important that the Government gives support to this really important sector. I am particularly worried about freelancers and others who have had no assistance at all from the first wave of support from the Chancellor. They have now had six months of no support and I am really worried about their viability in relation to the bills they have to pay and the jobs they used to do going forward. That is why it is really important the Government fills the gaps in the previous plan and also supports businesses as we enter a second wave.

Léonie Cooper: Thank you very much, MrMayor.

Police Officer Safety

Steve O'Connell: What progress has been made on providing greater protections for police officers?

Sadiq Khan: Can I thank the AssemblyMember for his question? I know he has been concerned about this for a number of years.
The death of SergeantMattRatana is an absolute tragedy. My heart goes out to the family and loved ones of this brave officer, who has paid the ultimate price for helping to keep Londoners safe. I know from my visit to Croydon last week the impact this has had on his fellow officers, friends and the entire Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) family. They mourn their colleague deeply at this extremely difficult time.
Both the MPS and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) are conducting live independent investigations into this incident and we must allow them to complete their enquiries.
Tragic incidents like this are terrible reminders of the dangers our police officers face every single day to protect our city. Our officers work tirelessly to keep us safe and we in turn should keep them safe. It is appalling that we have seen a 16% rise in attacks on our officers in London. Assaults on our police officers will not be tolerated and anyone who commits this type of crime will feel the full force of the law.
That is why I have called on the Government for a further uplift to the assault on emergency workers legislation from a maximum of 12 months to two years, reflecting the seriousness with which assaults on emergency workers should be viewed. The Commissioner [of Police of the Metropolis] asked for funding to increase the provision of tasers and we have invested an additional £1million into this. We have all seen the biggest-ever rollout of body-worn video, ensuring that when officers are attacked evidence is captured to help bring their attackers to justice.
Following the shocking murder of SergeantRatana, the Commissioner took swift action to protect officers while investigations are ongoing. She reissued all safety guidance. She introduced a new requirement for officers to wear a stab [proof] vest throughout the custody process. She initiated a further rollout of search wands in vehicles that will carry people to check for concealed weapons before transporting. [Deputy] Assistant Commissioner LaurenceTaylor is conducting an MPS custody safety review and the MPS is fully engaged with the National Police Chiefs Council’s (NPCC) review of officer and staff safety and will ensure that improvements are made where appropriate.
Operation Hampshire continues to establish a clear picture of assaults and is supporting those who have been assaulted on duty and is working to prosecute offenders. So far this year there have been nearly 4,000 sanctioned detections for assaults on police officers.
Our officers and staff come to work every day to protect the public, minimise harm, prevent crime and bring offenders to justice. We will continue, Chair, to ensure our officers and staff are provided with the best-quality training and equipment and that those who do attack our officers are prosecuted.

Steve O’Connell: Thank you very much, MrMayor. I thank you and others for your support and condolences at the loss of SergeantRatana. Our officers risk their lives daily to protect us and we must do all we can to protect them.
This was a question that I was going to pose at the last MQT but we ran out of time and it has taken a tragic turn since then with the incident and I thank you for your response.
I understand it is an ongoing investigation and that is absolutely right, but you did also mention that there was going to be a review of officer safety run by the MPS in custody suites. They were going to review processes because something clearly went wrong with the process. Have you any update on that particular aspect, MrMayor?

Sadiq Khan: Chair, it is really important to say this for those watching. Since I have been Mayor, AssemblyMemberO’Connell has been assiduous in raising this issue and it is a good example of cross-party working together to challenge me to make sure we do what we can to keep our officers safe. I thank him on behalf of officers, their families and Londoners for continuing to do.
I can say AssemblyMemberO’Connell that what the MPS are not doing is waiting for the end of the process to make any changes. They are making any changes in real time. I mentioned the LaurenceTaylor review. I also mentioned in my answer the issue of the wands and so forth in custody suites.
I can also give you the good news that the Croydon custody centre has now reopened. I was there the day before. It was very moving and quite emotional. You will be really proud that officers were back and civilian staff were back ready for the reopening, even though many of them - and I say this not in any way to amplify the grief they are going through - were quite traumatised. It is a good example of their professionalism.
I reassure you that the Commissioner [Dame Cressida Dick DBE QPM], her Deputy [Commissioner
Sir Stephen House QPM] and her top team are making sure that in real time any improvements are made that need making.

Steve O’Connell: Thank you, MrMayor. On the process aspect, I know there will be an investigation with live-time adjustments, but we will need to understand the process from the beginning of the interaction with the individual on the Croydon streets to how that was managed. We will look forward to those.
On your comments around the increased number of assaults on officers, these have gone up immensely. In 2018/19 in the MPS just under 3,400 were assaulted. The NPCC has just published a report about protections UK-wide for officers. Have you or your leading officers had the opportunity to look at that report and liaise with the MPS around its conclusions?

Sadiq Khan: We have, Chair. My Deputy Mayor [for Policing and Crime] SophieLinden has been working closely on this. I also use the opportunity to put on record my thanks to the [Metropolitan] Police Federation. I meet KenMarsh [Chairman, Metropolitan Police Federation] regularly and speak to him, as does SophieLinden. We are following that through.
I can also reassure you that the London Ambulance Service and other blue-light services are using Operation Hampshire as a template to improve the protection of their frontline staff as well.

Steve O’Connell: Thank you very much, MrMayor. We will continue to look at the issue of officer safety and to make sure that we protect those who protect us.
I would add to your comments around the pride in our officers in Croydon. I attended on the couple of days after with other political leaders and spoke to the Borough Commander. The pride of our officers under great stress and upset returning to their duties to keep Croydon safe is absolutely wonderful. I thank you again for your interest and support. Thank you, MrMayor.